Note: Descriptions are shown in the official language in which they were submitted.
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ORTHOTIC INSOLE CONFIGURED ACCORDING TO ANATOMICAL
MECHANICAL RELATIONSHIPS OF A NATURAL HUMAN BODY AND
METHOD FOR MANUFACTURING THE SAME
TECHNICAL FIELD
The technical field generally relates to insoles, and more specifically to
orthotic
insoles configured in accordance with a plurality of anatomical mechanical
aspects
of the natural human body and to methods of manufacturing orthotic insoles.
BACKGROUND
Foot ailments are common problems experienced by many people. Common
issues include over or under pronation, hammer toe, Morton's neuroma, plantar
fasciitis, heel spur also known Lenoir's thorn or Lenoir Syndrome, hallux
valgus,
nerve damage, muscle imbalance, post-fractures, osteoarthritis and arthritis
among others, as well as general body pain. A way of remedying these issues is
using a plantar orthotic insole. These may be custom-made or prefabricated.
Custom-made orthotic insoles, such as those described by patents CA2902596,
CA2975649 and CA2339446, are fitted to conform exactly to the user's foot.
Prefabricated orthotic insoles, such as those from patents CA2991380 and
CA2825973, are manufactured and distributed to the general public without an
exact fitting to the user's foot. Instead, they conform to standard shoe sizes
and
widths. The main problems with both of these types of orthotic insoles is that
they
vary widely between manufacturers. These are primarily made for comfort and do
not necessarily correct and prevent all of the aforementioned ailments. In
CA2339446, a custom insole's design method is described. As it is a custom-
made
orthotic, it is manufactured to conform to the user's foot. This customization
is
made by professionals such as podiatrists using plaster casting as described
in
CA2339446, electronically scanned as is the case with 0A2902596, or vacuum-
molded to the user's foot in the case of CA2975649. In addition, these custom
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orthotics must then be modified to offer the corrections required. This is
typically
done by providing orthotics with custom geometric modifications to offer a
user-
specific solution. These methods are time consuming, iterative, and will vary
according to every user.
Prefabricated insoles, on the other hand, are standardized. However, their
main
limitation is that they do not offer the same degree of relief as custom
orthotics.
For example, CA2991580 propose an insole seeking to correct over pronation or
supination through adjustable wedges as the main corrective feature, while
CA2825973 proposes an insole with arch support to relieve the plantar fascia.
lo
SUMMARY
According to one aspect, there is provided an orthotic insole comprising: an
insole
body receivable in a footwear, the insole body having a front body end, a rear
body
end opposite the front body end, a top body surface for receiving a foot of
the user
and a bottom surface configured to be received on an insole of the footwear,
the
top insole surface including a plurality of top surface portions, each top
surface
portion being substantially angled relative to an adjacent top surface
portion, the
top surface being substantially untwisted along its length between the front
and
rear body ends such that the top surface remains leveled in a widthwise
direction
as the top body surface extends from the front body end to the rear body end.
In at least one embodiment, the plurality of surface portions includes a heel
portion
extending forwardly from the rear end to receive a heel of a user thereon, the
heel
portion having a rear end located at the rear end of the insole and a front
end, the
heel portion extending along a heel portion plane.
In at least one embodiment, the plurality of surface portions further includes
a
calcaneal inclination portion extending forwardly from the heel portion, the
calcaneal inclination portion having a rear end located at the front end of
the heel
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portion and a front end, the calcaneal inclination portion extending forwardly
and
upwardly from the heel portion.
In at least one embodiment, the calcaneal inclination portion extends along a
calcaneal inclination portion plane, the calcaneal inclination portion plane
being
angled upwardly relative to the heel portion plane.
In at least one embodiment, the calcaneal inclination portion plane is angled
relative to the heel portion plane at an angle of between about 3 degrees and
7
degrees.
In at least one embodiment, the calcaneal inclination portion plane is angled
relative to the heel portion plane at an angle of about 5 degrees.
In at least one embodiment, the plurality of surface portions further includes
a
midfoot portion extending forwardly from the calcaneal inclination portion,
the
midfoot portion having a rear end located at the front end of the heel portion
and a
front end.
In at least one embodiment, the plurality of surface portions further includes
a
metatarsal portion extending forwardly from the midfoot portion, the
metatarsal
portion having a rear end located at the front end of the midfoot portion and
a front
end, the metatarsal portion extending downwardly from the rear end to the
front
end thereof.
In at least one embodiment, the metatarsal portion extends along a metatarsal
portion plane, the metatarsal portion plane being angled relative to the heel
portion
plane at an angle of between about 9 degrees and 19 degrees.
In at least one embodiment, the metatarsal portion plane is angled relative to
the
heel portion plane at an angle of about 13.5 degrees.
In at least one embodiment, the orthotic insole further includes a tongue
member
extending forwardly from the front insole end of the insole body, the front
insole
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end having a first width and the tongue member having a second width smaller
than the first width.
In at least one embodiment, the orthotic insole further includes an arch
alignment
member for receiving a user's foot arch, the arch alignment member extending
upwardly from the top insole surface and extending along an inner body edge of
the insole body.
In at least one embodiment, the arch alignment member includes a top arch
member face for abutting the user's foot when the user's foot is received on
the
top insole surface and a bottom arch member face.
In at least one embodiment, the arch alignment member further includes a
plurality
of slots defined in the bottom arch member face, the slots extending parallel
to
each other and substantially parallel to the central longitudinal body axis.
In at least one embodiment, the top arch member face is convexly curved
upwardly.
In at least one embodiment, the insole body includes a front insole edge
located at
the front insole end, the front insole edge being substantially linear and is
angled
relative to the central longitudinal body axis.
In at least one embodiment, the front insole edge is angled relative to the
central
longitudinal body axis at an angle of an angle of between about 70 degrees and
90 degrees.
In at least one embodiment, the front insole edge is angled relative to the
central
longitudinal body axis at an angle of an angle of 76 degrees.
In at least one embodiment, the insole body includes a styloid receiving
recess
defined in the top insole surface, the styloid being positioned, sized and
shaped to
receive a fifth metatarsal styloid of the user's foot.
In at least one embodiment, the styloid receiving recess includes a front
recess
edge located towards the front insole end, a rear recess edge located towards
the
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rear insole end, an outer recess edge extending along the outer body edge and
an
inner recess edge spaced inwardly from the outer recess edge.
According to another aspect, there is also provided an orthotic insole
comprising:
an insole body receivable in a footwear, the insole body extending between
front
5 and
rear insole ends and along a central longitudinal body axis, the insole body
further including a top insole surface for receiving a user's foot and a
bottom insole
surface configured to be received on a footwear's insole, the top insole
surface
including: a heel portion extending forwardly from the rear insole end to
receive a
heel of a user thereon, the heel portion having a rear end located at the rear
insole
end and a front end, the heel portion extending along a heel portion plane; a
calcaneal inclination portion extending forwardly from the heel portion, the
calcaneal inclination portion having a rear end located at the front end of
the heel
portion and a front end, the calcaneal inclination portion extending forwardly
and
upwardly from the heel portion; a midfoot portion extending forwardly from the
calcaneal inclination portion, the midfoot portion having a rear end located
at the
front end of the heel portion and a front end; and a metatarsal portion
extending
forwardly from the midfoot portion, the metatarsal portion having a rear end
located
at the front end of the midfoot portion and a front end, the metatarsal
portion
extending downwardly from the rear end to the front end thereof.
In at least one embodiment, the calcaneal inclination portion plane is angled
relative to the heel portion plane at an angle of between about 3 degrees and
7
degrees.
In at least one embodiment, the calcaneal inclination portion plane is angled
relative to the heel portion plane at an angle of about 5 degrees.
In at least one embodiment, the metatarsal portion extends along a metatarsal
portion plane, the metatarsal portion plane being angled relative to the heel
portion
plane at an angle of between about 9 degrees and 19 degrees.
In at least one embodiment, the orthotic insole further includes a tongue
member
extending forwardly from the front insole end of the insole body, the front
insole
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end having a first width and the tongue member having a second width smaller
than the first width.
In at least one embodiment, the orthotic insole further includes an arch
alignment
member for receiving a user's foot arch, the arch alignment member extending
upwardly from the top insole surface and extending along an inner body edge of
the insole body.
In at least one embodiment, the arch alignment member includes a top arch
member face for abutting the user's foot when the user's foot is received on
the
top insole surface and a bottom arch member face.
In at least one embodiment, the arch alignment member further includes a
plurality
of slots defined in the bottom arch member face, the slots extending parallel
to
each other and substantially parallel to the central longitudinal body axis..
In at least one embodiment, the top arch member face is convexly curved
upwardly.
In at least one embodiment, the insole body includes a front insole edge
located at
the front insole end, the front insole edge being substantially linear and is
angled
relative to the central longitudinal body axis.
In at least one embodiment, the front insole edge is angled relative to the
central
longitudinal body axis at an angle of an angle of between about 70 degrees and
90 degrees.
In at least one embodiment, the front insole edge is angled relative to the
central
longitudinal body axis at an angle of an angle of 76 degrees.
In at least one embodiment, the insole body includes a styloid receiving
recess
defined in the top insole surface, the styloid being positioned, sized and
shaped to
receive a fifth metatarsal styloid of the user's foot.
According to yet another aspect, there is also provided a method for
manufacturing
an orthotic insole, the method comprising: creating a virtual model of an
orthotic
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insole as defined above; providing the virtual model of the orthotic insole to
a 3D
printer; manufacturing the orthotic insole using the 3D printer based on the
virtual
model of the orthotic insole.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
FIG. 1 is a top rear perspective view of an orthotic insole, in accordance
with one
embodiment, in which the orthotic insole is configured for receiving a
standard
misaligned foot and in which the orthotic insole is configured for being
received in
footwear having a standard height heel;
FIG. 2 is a top front perspective view of the orthotic insole illustrated in
FIG. 1;
FIG. 3A is a top plan view of the orthotic insole illustrated in FIG. 1;
FIG. 3B is another top plan view of the orthotic insole illustrated in FIG. 1,
showing
a foot skeleton superimposed over the orthotic insole;
FIG. 4 is a bottom plan view of the orthotic insole illustrated in FIG. 2;
FIG. 5A is an inner side elevation view of the orthotic insole illustrated in
FIG. 1;
FIG. 5B is a longitudinal cross-sectional view of the orthotic insole, taken
along
cross-section line 5B-5B of FIG. 3;
FIG. 5C is a first transversal cross-sectional view of the orthotic insole,
taken along
cross-section line 5C-5C of FIG. 5B;
FIG. 5D is a second transversal cross-section view of the orthotic insole,
taken
along cross-section line 5D-5D of FIG. 5B;
FIG. 5E is a third transversal cross-section view of the orthotic insole,
taken along
cross-section line 5E-5E of FIG. 5B;
FIG. 5F is a fourth transversal cross-section view of the orthotic insole,
taken along
cross-section line 5F-5F of FIG. 5B;
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FIG. 6 is an outer side elevation view of the orthotic insole illustrated in
FIG. 1;
FIG. 7 is a top front perspective view of an orthotic insole, in accordance
with
another embodiment, in which the orthotic insole is configured for being
received
in footwear having a high heel;
FIG. 8 is a top plan view of the orthotic insole illustrated in FIG. 7;
FIG. 9 is a longitudinal cross-sectional view of the orthotic insole, taken
along
cross-section line 9-9 of FIG. 8;
FIG. 10 is a top rear perspective view of an orthotic insole, in accordance
with
another embodiment, in which the orthotic insole is configured to receive a
misaligned foot having a deformed scaphoid;
FIG. 11 is a bottom plan view of the orthotic insole illustrated in FIG. 10;
FIG. 12 is an inner side elevation view of the orthotic insole illustrated in
FIG. 10;
FIG. 13 is a top front perspective view of an orthotic insole, in accordance
with
another embodiment, in which the orthotic insole is configured to receive a
misaligned foot having a hammertoe; and
FIG. 14 is a top plan view of the orthotic insole illustrated in FIG. 10.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
It will be appreciated that, for simplicity and clarity of illustration, where
considered
appropriate, reference numerals may be repeated among the figures to indicate
corresponding or analogous elements or steps. In addition, numerous specific
details are set forth in order to provide a thorough understanding of the
exemplary
embodiments described herein. However, it will be understood by those of
ordinary
skill in the art, that the embodiments described herein may be practiced
without
these specific details. In other instances, well-known methods, procedures and
components have not been described in detail so as not to obscure the
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embodiments described herein. Furthermore, this description is not to be
considered as limiting the scope of the embodiments described herein in any
way
but rather as merely describing the implementation of the various embodiments
described herein.
For the sake of simplicity and clarity, namely so as to not unduly burden the
figures
with several references numbers, not all figures contain references to all the
components and features, and references to some components and features may
be found in only one figure, and components and features of the present
disclosure
which are illustrated in other figures can be easily inferred therefrom. The
embodiments, geometrical configurations, materials mentioned and/or dimensions
shown in the figures are optional, and are given for exemplification purposes
only.
Moreover, it will be appreciated that positional descriptions such as "above",
"below", "top", "bottom", "forward", "rearward" "left", "right" and the like
should,
unless otherwise indicated, be taken in the context of the figures and
correspond
to the position and orientation in the orthotic insole and corresponding parts
when
being used. Positional descriptions should not be considered limiting.
Referring now to FIGS. 1 to 6, there is shown an orthotic insole 100, in
accordance
with one embodiment. The orthotic insole 100 is adapted to be received in
footwear, not shown, to support a user's foot when standing and/or during
locomotion. The footwear could include, but is not limited to, a shoe, a boot,
a skate
or the like as long as the chosen footwear maintains a parallel insole surface
to the
ground and a sound biomechanical alignment.
In the illustrated embodiment, the orthotic insole 100 is shaped to receive
thereon
a left foot of the user. It will be understood that the orthotic insole 100
could instead
be shaped to receive a right foot of the user_ Still in the embodiment
illustrated in
FIGS. 1 to 6, the insole body 102 is configured for receiving a misaligned
foot of
an adult user having a standard configuration. It would be understood that the
term
"standard configuration" refers a foot which does not present any notable
deformation, such as a hammertoe or the like. It will further be understood
that the
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term "misaligned foot" refers to a foot which is not in proper biomechanical
alignment, which can cause a number of health issues to the user. The orthotic
insole 100 is configured such that when the orthotic insole 100 is received in
the
footwear and the misaligned foot is received in the footwear and on the
orthotic
5 insole 100, the orthotic insole 100 urges the misaligned foot towards a
configuration corresponding to a "healthy" foot, i.e. a foot which is in
proper
biomechanical alignment or human natural alignment, and thereby contributes to
realigning the foot into proper biomechanical alignment through repeated daily
use
of the orthotic insole 100.
10 The orthotic insole 100 includes an insole body 102 extending between a
front
body end 104 and a rear body end 106 opposite the front body end 104. The
insole
100 is configured to receive a user's foot such that the front body end 104 is
oriented towards the foot's toes while the rear body end 106 is oriented
towards
the foot's heel. In the illustrated embodiment, the orthotic insole 100
further
includes a tongue member 150 extending forwardly from the insole body 102.
In the present description, the terms "longitudinal", "longitudinally" and
"lengthwise
direction" are used to refer to a direction along a longitudinal body axis B
extending
substantially between the front and rear body ends 104, 106 when the orthotic
insole 100 is viewed in a top plan view, as illustrated in FIG. 3. The term
"transversal", "transversally" and "widthwise direction" as used hereinafter
refer to
a direction which is perpendicular to the above-described lengthwise
direction.
The insole body 102 includes a body edge 108 which delimits the insole body
102.
More specifically, the body edge 108 includes a front body edge 110 located at
the
front body end 104, a rear, curved edge portion 112 located at the rear body
end
106, and inner and outer side edge portions 114, 116 extending between the
front
and rear edge portions 110, 112. When the user's foot is received on the
insole
body 102, the inner and outer side edge portions 114, 116 are respectively
located
towards a medial side and a lateral side of the foot.
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As best shown in FIGS. 3 and 4, in the illustrated embodiment, the front body
edge
110 is substantially linear and extends between an inner front edge end 118
located at the inner side edge portion 114 and an outer front edge end 120
located
at the outer side edge portion 116. The front body edge 110 is not fully
perpendicular to the longitudinal body axis B, but is instead extends along a
front
edge axis F which is angled relative to the longitudinal body axis B such that
the
inner front edge end 118 is located further frontwardly than the outer front
edge
end 120. In the illustrated embodiment, the front edge axis F is angled
relative to
the longitudinal body axis B at an angle el of between about 70 degrees and 90
degrees, and more specifically at an angle of about 76 degrees. Alternatively,
the
front edge axis F could be angled at any another suitable angle or could even
be
perpendicular to the longitudinal body axis B. In yet another embodiment, the
front
body edge 110 may not be substantially linear and may instead be curved or
have
any other suitable shape.
As further shown in FIGS. 3 and 4, the insole body 102 has a top body surface
200
and a bottom body surface 202 opposite the top body surface 200. The top and
bottom body surfaces 200, 202 extend longitudinally between the front and rear
edge portions 110, 112 and extend transversely between the inner and outer
side
edge portions 114, 116.
The top body surface 200 is configured for receiving the user's foot thereon.
Specifically, the top body surface 200 includes a plurality of top surface
portions
300, 400, 500, 600 which are configured relative to each other in accordance
with
a predetermined configuration.
The bottom body surface 202 is configured to be received on a footwear's
insole.
Specifically, in the present embodiment, the bottom body surface 202 is
configured
relative to a configuration of the footwear such that when the orthotic insole
100 is
received in the footwear, on the footwear's insole, and when the footwear is
positioned on a substantially planar ground surface extending along a ground
plane, the top surface portions 300, 400, 500, 600 of the insole body 102 are
angled at predetermined angles relative to a ground plane. In some
embodiments,
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the bottom body surface 202 is therefore arced according to an arch
corresponding
to an arch of the footwear in which the orthotic insole 100 is to be received.
It will be appreciated that while most existing foot orthotics are made to
conform to
a foot configuration of a particular user, the orthotic insole 100 is instead
made to
conform to a standard corresponding foot configuration that would be desirable
for
the user's foot. Specifically, the top body surface 200 is configured to
substantially
conform to contours of an underside of a "healthy" foot, i.e a foot which is
in proper
biomechanical alignment. When used by a user having a misaligned foot, i.e. a
foot which is not in proper biomechanical alignment, this orthotic insole 100
will
urge the user's foot received on the top body surface 200 to conform to the
top
body surface 200 and will thereby contribute to realigning the foot into
proper
biomechanical alignment through repeated and/or prolonged use of the orthotic
insole 100.
In the embodiment illustrated in FIGS. 1 to 6, the top body surface 200
includes a
heel portion 300 extending forwardly from the rear body end 106, a calcaneal
inclination portion 400 extending forwardly from the heel portion 300, a
midfoot
portion 500 extending forwardly from the calcaneal inclination portion 400 and
a
forefoot portion 600 extending forwardly from the midfoot portion 400. All
portions
300, 400, 500, 600 of the top body surface 200 are configured to receive a
corresponding portion of the user's foot.
FIG. 38 shows a user's foot, and more specifically a skeleton of the user's
foot 10
showing the foot's bones, superimposed over the top body surface 200 in a
position corresponding to the insole being received in footwear and with the
user's
foot received on the top body surface 200.
As is known to the skilled addressee, the foot 10 includes a calcaneus bone 12
located towards a rear end of the foot, a navicular bone 14 disposed
frontwardly of
the calcaneus bone 12, and first to fifth metatarsal bones 18, 20, 22, 24, 26
extending frontwardly of the navicular bone 14.
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The top body surface 200 is sized and shaped such that the portions 300, 400,
500, 600 of the top body surface 200 are each positioned according to a
predetermined position relative to the user's foot received on the top body
surface
200.
More specifically, the heel portion 300 is sized to receive the user's heel
such that
a rear end of the user's calcaneus bone 12 is substantially aligned with the
rear
body end 106. Specifically, the heel portion 300 extends between a rear heel
portion rear end 302 substantially aligned with the rear body end 106 and a
front
heel portion end 304 located towards the front body end 104.
The calcaneal inclination portion 400 is sized to receive a portion of the
user's foot
extending substantially between the base of the user's calcaneus bone 12 and a
rear end of the user's navicular bone 14. Specifically, the calcaneal
inclination
portion 400 includes a rear calcaneal inclination portion end 402 located
toward
the rear body end 106 and a front calcaneal inclination portion end 404
located
towards the front body end 104. The rear calcaneal inclination portion end 402
coincides with the front heel portion end 304 and meets the front heel portion
end
304 at a rear portion delimitation line Li substantially delimiting the
calcaneal
inclination portion 400 from the heel portion 300.
The midfoot portion 500 is sized to receive a portion of the user's foot
extending
substantially between the rear end of the user's navicular bone 14 and the
user's
tarsometatarsal joints, and more specifically the tarsometatarsal joint of the
user's
second metatarsal bone 20. More specifically, the midfoot portion 500 includes
a
rear midfoot portion end 502 located toward the rear body end 106 and a front
midfoot portion end 504 located towards the front body end 104. The rear
midfoot
portion end 502 coincides with the front calcaneal inclination portion end 404
and
meets the front calcaneal inclination portion end 404 at a first intermediate
portion
delimitation line L2 substantially delimiting the midfoot portion 500 from the
calcaneal inclination portion 400.
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The metatarsal portion 600 is sized to receive a portion of the user's foot
extending
between the user's tarsometatarsal joints and the front body edge 110. More
specifically, the metatarsal portion 600 includes a rear metatarsal portion
end 602
oriented towards the rear body end 106, and a front metatarsal portion end 604
oriented towards the front body end 104 and coinciding with the front body
edge
110. The rear metatarsal portion end 502 coincides with the front midfoot
portion
end 504 and meets the front midfoot portion end 504 at a second intermediate
portion delimitation line L3 substantially delimiting the metatarsal portion
600 from
the midfoot portion 500.
As best shown in FIG. 3A, in the illustrated embodiment, the top body surface
200
is configured such that each one of the rear, first intermediate and second
intermediate delimitation lines Li, L2, L3 extend substantially parallel to
each other.
The orthotic insole 100 is configured such that, when the user's foot is
received on
the top body surface 200, the front edge axis F of the front body edge 110
extends
behind the head of the first and fifth metatarsal bones 18, 26. In the
illustrated
embodiment, as shown in FIG. 3B, the tongue member 150 extending frontwardly
from the front body edge 110 and is substantially sized and shaped to receive
at
least a portion of at least some of the foot's metatarsal bones 18-26. In the
illustrated embodiment, the tongue member 150 does not extend along the entire
width of the front body edge 110. In one embodiment, the tongue member 150 has
a width corresponding to about 30% of a width of the front body edge 110.
Alternatively, the tongue member 150 could be sized and shaped differently.
Still in the illustrated embodiment, the tongue member 150 is sized and shaped
for
receiving a portion of the second, third and fourth metatarsal bones 20, 22,
24 and
corresponding phalanges when the foot is received on the top body surface 200.
More specifically, the tongue member 150 is substantially shorter than the
foot's
second, third and fourth toes such that the second, third and fourth toes
extend
beyond the tongue member 150. Alternatively, the tongue member 150 could
instead extend to the tip of the foot's second, third and fourth toes.
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It will therefore be appreciated that when the orthotic insole 100 is
positioned in
footwear against the footwear's insole and the user's foot is received on the
top
body surface 200, the user's foot does not entirely contact the top body
surface
200. In other words, a first portion of the user's foot contacts the top body
surface
5 200
and a second portion of the user's foot does not contact the top body surface
200 and instead directly contacts the footwear's insole. In the illustrated
embodiment, the heads of the first and fifth metatarsal bones 18, 26 and the
corresponding phalanges are in contact with the footwear's insole on either
side of
the tongue member 150. Moreover, the front body edge 110 is further sized and
10
shaped to abut the heads of the first and fifth metatarsal bones 18, 26 of the
standard healthy foot.
It will therefore be appreciated that when a misaligned foot is received on
the top
body surface 200, the first and fifth metatarsal bones 18, 26 will be
naturally guided
towards the front of the front body edge 110 and will abut the front body edge
as
15
would a standard healthy foot. The front body edge 110 thereby creates
pressure
points on the first and fifth metatarsal bones 18, 26 which will contribute to
the
realignment of the misaligned foot during use of the orthotic insole 100.
In the illustrated embodiment, the tongue member 150 includes a pair of side
edges 152 which are substantially straight and which extend substantially
parallel
to each other. The tongue member 150 further includes a front arcuate edge 154
connecting together the side edges 152. The tongue member 150 also includes a
top tongue surface 156 and a bottom tongue surface 158 extending opposite the
top tongue surface 156. In the illustrated embodiment, the top and bottom
tongue
surfaces 156, 158 are substantially coplanar respectively with the top and
bottom
body surfaces 200, 202 so as to define forward extensions of the top and
bottom
body surfaces 200, 202.
In the illustrated embodiment, the side and front edges 152, 154 of the tongue
member 150 and the front body edge 110 are substantially beveled to improve
the
user's comfort. Alternatively, the side and front edges 152, 154 of the tongue
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member 150 and the front body edge 110 could instead be rounded or be
substantially square.
It will further be understood that since the tongue member 150 does not extend
along the entire width of the front body edge 110, the tongue member 150
offers
less resistance to bending and therefore facilitates the flexion of the foot
along the
metatarsophalangeal joint between the foot's metatarsal bones 18-26 and
corresponding phalanges_ Alternatively, the orthotic insole 100 could include
a
hinge, such as a live hinge, between the tongue member 150 and the insole body
200 to further reduce the resistance of the orthotic insole 100 to bending. In
yet
another embodiment, the tongue member 150 could be configured according to
various alternative shapes and sizes. For example, instead of being parallel
to
each other, the side edges 152 of the tongue member 152 could instead diverge
from each other from the front body edge 110 towards the front edge 154 of the
tongue member 150. In still another embodiment, the orthotic insole 100 may
not
include a tongue member 150, such that the heads of all the metatarsal bones
18-
26 and the corresponding phalanges are in contact with the footwear's insole.
In the illustrated embodiment, the insole body 102 further includes a styloid
receiving recess 800 defined in the top body surface 200. The styloid
receiving
recess 800 is sized, shaped and located to receive the foot's styloid process
located on the fifth metatarsal bone 26 when the foot is received on the top
body
surface 200. The styloid receiving recess 800 thereby allows the styloid
recess to
sit lower than the rest of the user's foot to thereby improve the user's
comfort. In
the illustrated embodiment, the styloid receiving recess 800 is adjacent to
the outer
side edge portion 116 of the insole body 102 and is substantially elongated.
Specifically, the styloid receiving recess 800 includes a styloid recess
bottom
surface 802 which is substantially planar and a styloid recess sidewall 804
surrounding the styloid recess bottom surface 802. The styloid recess sidewall
804
includes an outer sidewall segment 806 which extends along the outer side edge
portion 116 of the insole body 102, an inner sidewall edge segment 808 which
is
spaced from the outer sidewall segment 806 and which extends generally
parallel
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to the outer sidewall edge segment 804, and rear and front sidewall edge
segments
810, 812 extending between the inner and outer sidewall edge segment 806, 808.
In the illustrated embodiment, the front sidewall edge segment 812 extends
substantially parallel to the front body edge 110 of the insole body 102, and
the
rear sidewall edge segment 810 extends substantially perpendicular to the
longitudinal body axis B of the insole body 102. In the illustrated
embodiment, the
styloid recess sidewall 804 is bevelled to prevent otherwise sharp edges from
causing discomfort to the user when the user's foot is received on the top
body
surface 200. Alternatively, the orthotic insole 100 may not include a styloid
receiving recess 800.
Still in the illustrated embodiment, the orthotic insole 100 further includes
an arch
alignment member 900 extending upwardly from the insole body 102 for receiving
the foot's arch such that the user's foot is positioned in an appropriate
position and
alignment when received on the orthotic insole 100. Specifically, the arch
alignment member 900 is configured such that when the user's foot is received
on
the orthotic insole 100, the arch alignment member 900 will guide the user's
foot
into the alignment illustrated in FIG. 3B, in which the head of the first
metatarsal
bone 18 is properly positioned forward of the front body edge 110 and inwardly
from the tongue member 150 and in which the second metatarsal bone 20 is
substantially aligned towards a central axis of a user's foot which would be
positioned in its natural alignment. This will in turn lead to the heads of
all five
metatarsal bones 18-26 to be properly positioned forwardly of the front body
edge
110.
In the illustrated embodiment, the arch alignment member 900 is substantially
elongated and extends along the inner side edge portion 114 of the insole body
102, substantially between the front body edge 110 and the rear portion
delimitation line Li. As best shown in FIGS. 5D and 5E, in the illustrated
embodiment, the arch alignment member 900 is angled away from the top body
surface 200 such that it extends away from the outer side edge portion 116 as
it
extends upwardly. Specifically, the arch alignment member 900 is angled at an
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angle of between 35 degrees and 55 degrees, and more specifically at an angle
of
about 45 degrees relative to the top body surface 200. Alternatively, the arch
alignment member 900 could be angled away from the top body surface 200 at
any other suitable angle.
The arch alignment member 900 includes a top arch member face 902 which is
convexly curved upwardly to conform to the foot's arch and a bottom arch
member
face 904 extending opposite the top arch member face 902. As best shown in
FIG.
5A, the arch alignment member 900 further includes a plurality of arch member
slots 906 extending in the bottom arch member face 904 and towards the top
arch
member face 902. Specifically, the arch member slots 906 are spaced from each
other vertically and extend generally parallel to the top body surface 200. It
will be
appreciated that while the arch alignment member 900 exerts a force on the
foot's
arch, the arch member slots 906 still substantially provide at least a slight
flexibility
to the arch alignment member 900 to further enhance comfort for the user. This
flexibility of the arch alignment member 900 provided by the arch member slots
906 can further prevent excessive pressure on the user's foot which could
position
the user's foot in an undesirable inversion position, in which the user's
ankle could
be overly rotated outwardly about a longitudinal axis of the foot.
In the illustrated embodiment, the plurality of arch member slots 906 include
two
arch member slots 906, as shown in FIG. 5A, but alternatively, the arch
alignment
member 900 could instead include a single arch member slot or more than two
arch member slots. In another embodiment, the arch alignment member 900 may
not include any slot. Specifically, the arch alignment member 900 may instead
have any other configuration and/or be made from a material selected to as to
provide the arch alignment member 900 with the desired flexibility. For
example,
in one embodiment, the arch alignment member 900 is configured such that when
a force corresponding to 60 kg is applied downwardly to the orthotic body 100,
a
portion of the force corresponding to about 8% or approximately 50N is applied
uniformly along the top arch member face 902 and thus the arch alignment
member 900 and the arch alignment member 900 is deformed with a maximum
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displacement of less than approximately 4.5 mm. This configuration allows the
arch alignment member 900 to be flexible enough to prevent the user's foot
from
being urged towards an undesirable inversion position, as described above,
while
being rigid enough to guide the user's foot into proper alignment as intended.
Alternatively, the arch alignment member 900 could be deformed with a maximum
displacement of more than approximately 4.5 mm when a force corresponding to
60 kg is applied downwardly to the orthotic body 100 such that a portion of
the
force corresponding to about 8% or approximately 50N is applied uniformly
along
the top arch member face 902 and thus the arch alignment member 900. In yet
another embodiment, the orthotic insole 100 may not even include an arch
alignment member 900.
In the illustrated embodiment, the orthotic insole 100 further includes an
outer
lateral wall 1000 extending along the outer side edge portion 116 of the
insole body
102, substantially between the front body edge 110 and rear portion
delimitation
line Li. More specifically, the outer lateral wall 1000 extends upwardly from
the top
body surface 200 and opposite the arch alignment member 900 such that when
the foot is received on the top body surface 200, the foot is held laterally
between
the outer lateral wall 1000 and the arch alignment member 900. The outer
lateral
wall 1000 therefore further contributes to positioning the foot in a proper
position
on the top body surface 200. As best shown in FIG. 5D, the outer lateral wall
1000
does not extend fully perpendicular to the top body surface 200, but is
instead
angled slightly outwardly. Alternatively, the outer lateral wall 1000 could
instead
extend substantially perpendicular to the top body surface 200, or have any
other
suitable configuration. In yet another embodiment, the orthotic insole 100 may
not
include an outer lateral wall 1000.
In the illustrated embodiment, in addition to being sized according to
different
features of a corresponding foot, the portions 300, 400, 500, 600 of the top
body
surface 200 are further angled relative to each other so as to support
properly the
corresponding foot in a desired or "neutral" position when the foot is
received on
the top body surface 200. More specifically, each portion 300, 400, 500, 600
is
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substantially planar and is angled relative to the other portions 300, 400,
500, 600
at a predetermined angle to define slopes in the top body surface 200 between
the
front body end 104 and the rear body end 106. It will be understood that the
term
"substantially planar" does not mean that the portions 300, 400, 500, 600 are
fully
5 and exactly planar. One or more of the portions 300, 400, 500, 600 could
instead
be slightly curved to offer better support or increased comfort for the user's
foot,
as is the case in the embodiment illustrated in FIG. 5B. In this case, the
delimitation
between adjacent portions 300, 400, 500, 600 may be defined by a significant
change in angle, curvature or curvature direction between the adjacent
portions
10 300, 400, 500, 600.
It will further be understood that although the top surface portions 300, 400,
500,
600 are described herein as separate portions of the top body surface 200 that
are
angled relative to each other, the top body surface 200 extends substantially
continuously and smoothly between the front and rear body ends 104, 106 with
no
15 substantial discernible delimitation between the top surface portions
300, 400, 500,
600 to create a comfortable surface for the user's foot to be received on.
Alternatively, the top body surface 200 could instead include one or more
discernible delimitation between at least two adjacent portions 300, 400, 500,
600.
These one or more discernible delimitations could include a relatively sharp
edge,
20 a transition portion including one or more angled planar portions or any
other type
of discontinuity.
The inclinations of the portions 300, 400, 500, 600 of the top body surface
200
corresponding to the embodiment illustrated in FIGS. 1 to 6 are best shown in
FIG.
5B. In this embodiment, the orthotic insole 100 is configured to be received
in
footwear having a standard heel height, which corresponds to a heel height of
approximately 12.7 mm. In this embodiment, the heel portion 300 extends
substantially along a heel portion plane Pi and the calcaneal inclination
portion
400 extends substantially along a calcaneal inclination portion plane P2. In
this
embodiment, both the heel portion 300 and the calcaneal inclination portion
400
are substantially planar as defined above, although the calcaneal inclination
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portion 400 has a more pronounced curvature than the heel portion 300 which
has
little to no curvature. As shown in FIG. 5B, the calcaneal inclination portion
plane
P2 is angled upwardly from heel portion plane Pi such that the calcaneal
inclination
portion 400 extends substantially upwardly from the heel portion 300. In the
illustrated embodiment, the planes Pi and P2 are angled relative to each other
at
an angle 02 of about between 3 and 7 degrees, and more specifically of about 5
degrees. Still in this embodiment, the metatarsal portion 600 extends
substantially
along a metatarsal portion plane P3. Specifically, as shown in FIG. 5B, the
metatarsal portion plane P3 extends substantially tangentially to the
metatarsal
portion 600 at the rear metatarsal portion end 602. In this embodiment, the
metatarsal portion plane P3 is angled relative to the heel portion plane Pi at
an
angle 03 of between about 12 degrees and 16 degrees, and more specifically at
an
angle of about 13.5 degrees.
In the illustrated embodiment, although the top surface portions 300, 400,
500, 600
are angled relative to each other such that they slope upwardly or downwardly
from
the rear body end 106 to the front body end 104, the top body surface 200
extends
in a straight line transversely (i.e. in a widthwise direction) at every
location along
the length of the orthotic insole 100. Moreover, the top body surface 200 is
substantially untwisted along its length between the front and rear body ends
104,
106 such that the top body surface 200 remains leveled in a widthwise
direction as
the top body surface 200 extends from the front insole end 104 to the rear
insole
end 106. In other words, the top body surface 200 does not turn or twist about
a
longitudinal axis of the insole body 102 or about any other axis as it extends
along
the between the front insole end 104 to the rear insole end 106.
For example, FIGS. 5C and 5D show transversal cross-sections of the orthotic
insole 100 taken respectively at a location in the heel portion 300 and in the
calcaneal inclination portion 400 of the top body surface 200. It can be
appreciated
that at these locations, the top body surface 200 is entirely straight as it
extends
transversely (i.e. in a widthwise direction) between the inner and outer side
edge
portions 114, 116 of the insole body 102. Axes Ai and A2 are provided in FIGS.
5C
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and 5D to show the orientation of the top body surface 200 at these locations.
More
specifically, the axes Ai and A2 extend transversely along the top body
surface 200
at the locations of the orthotic insole 100 illustrated in FIGS. 5C and 5D,
respectively. As explained above, since the top body surface 200 is untwisted
along its entire length, the axes Ai and A2 are substantially parallel to each
other.
FIG. 5E shows a transversal cross-section of the orthotic insole 100 taken at
a
location in the calcaneal inclination portion 400 of the top body surface 200.
It can
be appreciated that at this location, the top body surface 200 is still
entirely straight
as it extends transversely (i.e. in a widthwise direction) between the inner
and outer
side edge portions 114, 116 of the insole body 102. The orientation of the top
body
surface 200 at this location is illustrated by axis A3 which extends
transversely
along the top body surface 200. Since the top body surface 200 is untwisted
along
its entire length, axis A3 is therefore also substantially parallel to axes Ai
and A2.
As further shown in FIG. 5E, the styloid recess bottom surface 802 of the
styloid
receiving recess 800 is also entirely straight as it extends transversely
(i.e. in a
widthwise direction) between the inner and outer side edge portions 808, 806
of
the styloid receiving recess 800 and, in the illustrated embodiment, the
styloid
recess bottom surface 802 further extends parallel to the forefoot portion 500
of
the top body surface 200. Alternatively, the styloid recess bottom surface 802
could
instead be substantially concavely curved or have any other suitable
configuration.
As shown in FIG. 5F, in this embodiment, the top tongue surface 156 of the
tongue
member 150 is also entirely straight as it extends transversely (i.e. in a
widthwise
direction) between the side edges 152 of the tongue member 150, as shown by
axis A4 which extends transversely along the top tongue surface 156. In the
illustrated embodiment, the top tongue surface 156 is further untwisted
relative to
the top body surface 200, such that the axis A4 is also substantially parallel
to axes
Ai, A2 and A3. Alternatively, instead of being straight in the widthwise
direction, the
top tongue surface 156 could be substantially concavely curved or have any
other
suitable configuration.
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It will be understood that the locations at which the cross-sections shown in
FIGS.
5C to 5E are taken are merely taken as examples, and that any axis extending
transversely along the top body surface 200 at any location along the insole
body
102 would be substantially parallel to the axes Ai, A2 and A3 and to any other
axis
extending transversely along the top body surface 200 at any other location
along
the insole body 102.
In the embodiment illustrated in FIGS. Ito 6, the orthotic insole 100 is
configured
to be received in footwear having a standard heel height, which corresponds to
a
heel height of approximately 12.7 mm. In other embodiments, the orthotic
insole
could instead be configured to be received in footwear having any heel height
between 0 mm and 38.1 mm, or even a heel height greater than 38.1 mm. The
orthotic insole 100 could further be configured to be received in footwear
having
any footwear size between US size 00 infant to US size 16 men, or even having
a
footwear size greater than US size 16 men.
FIGS. 7 to 9 show an orthotic insole 2000, in accordance with another
embodiment.
In this embodiment, the orthotic insole 2000 is generally similar to the
orthotic
insole 100 illustrated in FIGS. 1 to 6, except that instead of being
configured to be
received in footwear having a standard height heel, the orthotic insole 2000
is
configured to be received in footwear having a high heel, and more
specifically
having a heel height of between about 31.75 mm and 32.10 mm.
Specifically, the orthotic insole 2000 includes an insole body 2002 and a
tongue
member 2004 extending frontwardly from the insole body 2002. The insole body
2002 includes a top body surface 2010 for receiving a foot of a user and a
bottom
body surface 2012 configured to be received on a footwear's insole. Similar to
the
top body surface 200, the top body surface 2010 includes a heel portion 2020,
a
calcaneal inclination portion 2030 located forwardly of the heel portion 2020,
a
midfoot portion 2040 located forwardly of the calcaneal inclination portion
2030
and a metatarsal portion 2050 located forwardly of the midfoot portion 2040.
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In this embodiment, the tongue member 2004 is angled relative to the
metatarsal
portion 2050 at a substantially greater angle than the tongue member 150 of
the
orthotic insole 100 relative to the metatarsal portion 600 to conform to a
greater
angle of the phalanges with respect to corresponding metatarsal bones of the
foot
when using a high heel footwear.
Still in this embodiment, the heel portion 2020 extends substantially along a
heel
portion plane Pi' and the calcaneal inclination portion 2030 extends
substantially
along a calcaneal inclination portion plane P2'. Specifically, the planes Pi'
and P2'
are substantially angled relative to each other at an angle 02' of about
between 3
and 7 degrees, and more specifically of about 5 degrees, similarly to the
planes Pi
and P2 of the orthotic insole 100 illustrated in FIGS. Ito 6. Still in this
embodiment,
the metatarsal portion 600 extends substantially along a metatarsal portion
plane
P3 which is angled relative to the heel portion plane Pi at an angle 03' of
between
about 15 degrees and 19 degrees, and more specifically at an angle of about
17.5
degrees.
It will be understood that the angles between the portions and curvatures of
the
portions of the top body surface may vary slightly in accordance with the heel
height of the footwear in which the orthotic insole is to be received but will
substantially have the same overall configuration regardless of the heel
height. It
will also be appreciated that the length and width of the insole body may vary
in
accordance with the length or width of the footwear or of the user's foot, but
that
the angles between the portions of the top body surface will not vary in
accordance
with the length or width of the footwear or of the user's foot.
Turning now to FIGS. 10 to 12, there is shown an orthotic insole 3000, in
accordance with another embodiment. The orthotic insole 3000 is substantially
similar to the orthotic insole 100 and includes an insole body 3002 and a
tongue
member 3004 extending forwardly from the insole body 3002. The orthotic insole
3000 further includes an arch member 3010 extending substantially upwardly
from
the insole body 3002 and between a front arch end 3006 and a rear arch end
3008.
In this embodiment, instead of extending continuously between the front and
rear
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arch ends, the arch member 3010 includes a central gap 3050 sized and shaped
to accommodate a deformed styloid process of the misaligned foot. It will be
appreciated that without this central arch gap 3050, the arch may create an
undesirable pressure point on the deformed styloid process of the first
metatarsal
5 bone. This configuration therefore enhances the user's comfort.
Referring now to FIGS. 13 and 14, there is shown an orthotic insole 4000, in
accordance with another embodiment. In this embodiment, the orthotic insole
4000
is substantially similar to the orthotic insole 100 and includes an insole
body 4002
and a tongue member 4004 extending forwardly from the insole body 4002.
10 Specifically, the insole body 4002 includes a top body surface 4010
which is
substantially similar to the top body surface 4010 of the orthotic insole 100.
However, in this embodiment, the orthotic insole 4000 is configured to receive
a
foot having a hammertoe, i.e. an abnormal bend found in the middle joint of at
least
one of the second, third, fourth and fifth toes. Specifically, it will be
understood that
15 if the tongue member 4004 was configured similarly to the tongue member
150 of
the orthotic insole 100 described above, the tongue member 150 would place
undesirable pressure on the toes and thereby cause discomfort to the user.
Therefore, the tongue member 4004 of the present orthotic insole 4000 is
substantially shorter than the tongue member 150 of the orthotic insole 100,
and
20 more specifically, does not extend beyond the middle joint of the
second, third and
fourth toes such that the hammertoe may contact the footwear's insole instead
of
being elevated above the footwear's insole by the tongue member 4004.
It will be appreciated that the orthotic insoles 100, 2000, 3000, 4000
described
hereinabove all can be manufactured without a detailed analysis of the
specific
25 configuration of the misaligned foot to be realigned. Instead, the
orthotic insoles
100, 2000, 3000, 4000 can be manufactured using a limited number of
fabrication
parameters including a length and width of the foot ¨ which can be measured or
determined from the user's shoe size ¨ a height of the heel of the footwear
with
which the orthotic insole is to be used and whether the foot has any notable
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deformations such as a deformed scaphoid or a hammertoe. This may greatly
reduce the time and resources required to manufacture the orthotic insole.
In one embodiment, a certain quantity of orthotic insoles could be
prefabricated in
accordance with certain fabrication parameters and stocked, and further
provided
to users whose misaligned foot compared to the fabrication parameters of the
orthotic insoles. For example, it may be desirable to prefabricate and store a
stock
of orthotic insoles 100 configured for footwear having a standard height heel
and
for a foot having no notable deformations in a number of common shoe sizes and
foot widths. This may further reduce the time and cost required to manufacture
the
orthotic insole
In one embodiment, in addition to selecting an appropriate orthotic insole
configuration according to a heel height of the footwear in which the orthotic
insole
is to be used, the orthotic insole 100, 2000, 3000, 4000 could further be at
least
slightly adapted in accordance with other parameters of the footwear. For
example,
the configuration of the bottom body surface of the orthotic insole and/or of
the
tongue member could be adjusted depending on a toe lift-off angle or of a heel
wedge angle of the footwear. In some embodiments, one or more wedges could
further be positioned at predetermined positions and configurations inside the
footwear, under the orthotic insole 100, to position and orient the user's
foot and/or
ankle according to a desired position and orientation. In these embodiments,
the
footwear's central axis alignment may be taken into consideration to avoid
reducing the orthotics' efficiency in successfully achieving a proper
biomechanical
alignment.
In the embodiments illustrated hereinabove, the orthotic insole 100 is further
made
from a single, monolithic piece of material but alternatively, the orthotic
insole 100
could be made from a plurality of distinct pieces assembled together using a
suitable assembly technique such as gluing or the like.
In one embodiment, the orthotic insole 100 is further made from a semi-rigid
material, rather than a fully rigid material. This allows the orthotic insole
100 to be
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rigid enough to urge the misaligned foot into proper alignment to thereby
realign
the foot, but also soft enough to continue to provide a proper biomechanical
alignment to the foot under different unequal terrain conditions, and to
provide
shock absorption properties for the user's comfort. In one embodiment, the
orthotic
insole 100 is made from cork or from an elastomeric material such as ethylene-
vinyl acetate (EVA) foam, rubber, thermoplastic polyurethane (TPU) or the
like.
Specifically, in one embodiment, the insole body 102 has a hardness value of
between about 50 and 120 on the Shore A durometer scale. More specifically,
the
insole body 102 may have a hardness value of between about 60 and 70 on the
Shore A durometer scale, or a hardness value of between about 85 and 95 on the
Shore A durometer scale. Alternatively, the orthotic insole 100 may be made
from
any other suitable material.
In one embodiment, the orthotic insole 100 is made by additive manufacturing,
also
known as 3D printing. Specifically, in accordance with a first step of a
method for
manufacturing an orthotic insole, a virtual model of the orthotic insole 100
may first
be provided. The virtual model may be created in accordance with one or more
fabrication parameters of the misaligned foot such as a length and width of
the foot
and an indication of whether the foot includes any notable deformation. In one
embodiment, the length and width of the foot may be measured on the user using
a measuring tool such as a Ritz scale or the like. Using these fabrication
parameters, the virtual model of the orthotic insole 100 may then be created
using
a suitable program provided on a processing unit such as a personal computer.
In
another embodiment, instead of creating the virtual model based on the
fabrication
parameters, the virtual model could instead be selected from a database of
preformed virtual models based on the fabrication parameters. Alternatively,
the
virtual model may be created using a scan of the user's foot and/or lower
limbs,
one or more photographs of the user's foot and/or lower limbs, or any other
technique to obtain at least one parameter of the user's foot and/or lower
limbs
such as the length and/or width of the foot. In this embodiment, the acquired
data
related to the user's foot and/or lower limbs enables the creation and
modification
of a 3D model using a 3D modeling platform, with the modifications being based
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on acquired measurements of the foot and postural deficiency data observed and
analysed by means of artificial intelligence and/or extensive human experience
which help to generate the final required virtual model.
According to another step of the method, the virtual model is then provided to
a 3D
printer and the orthotic insole is manufactured using the 3D printer.
Alternatively, instead of being manufactured by additive manufacturing, the
orthotic
insole 100 could be made using another appropriate manufacturing process such
as molding, overmolding or the like.
While the above description provides examples of the embodiments, it will be
appreciated that some features and/or functions of the described embodiments
are
susceptible to modification without departing from the spirit and principles
of
operation of the described embodiments. Accordingly, what has been described
above has been intended to be illustrative and non-limiting and it will be
understood
by persons skilled in the art that other variants and modifications may be
made
without departing from the scope of the invention as defined in the claims
appended hereto.
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